RV electrical systems are very sensitive. Costly damage can be done if these systems are exposed to surges or low voltage. When I started my research, I looked for the best RV surge protectors on the market. After learning more about RV surge protectors, I found the better options are electrical management systems (EMS) which do more than just protect against surges.

Top 5 RV Surge Protectors and Electrical Management System

While surge protectors are designed to protect RVs from voltage spikes, electrical management systems are designed to protect the RV from voltage spikes and other electrical damage. Additional protection includes: low voltage, open ground, open neutral, reverse polarity, accidentally plugging into 240 volts.

Before making a purchase, here are a few things to consider:

Do you want a portable or hard-wired unit?Is your RV setup for 30 amp or 50 amp service?Does your RV already have an electrical protection system built-in?

1. Southwire Surge Guard RV Power Protection – Portable

The newest Surge Guard product will protect the RV when there is high or low voltage, open ground, open neutral, elevated ground line voltage, overheating receptacle, reverse polarity. Read the operating and installation instruction for more details or watch TechnoRV’s video below.

Features:

Limited lifetime warranty.

Will automatically shut off power to the RV when AC power falls below 102 volts, or is higher than 132 volts for more than 7 seconds.

2. Progressive Industries EMS – Portable

Progressive Industries makes one of the leading electrical management systems on the market. The portable EMS is easy to use, no installation required. We use the older version (PTC) of this portable EMS, which I talk about in the video below as one of our must have RV gadgets.

The latest Progressive Industries EMS (PTX – PT30Xand PT50X) has a few new features: weather shield to protect it from the elements, a pull handle to make it easier to disconnect the unit, a better bracket for securing the unit to the pedestal. We have been using the older unit since 2015 without any issues. Read the full review of Progressive Industries PT30C.

Features:

Limited lifetime warranty.

Will automatically shut off power to the RV when AC power falls below 104 volts, or is higher than 132 volts.

Will not allow power to the RV when there is reverse polarity, open neutral, open ground, or when 240 volts is detected.

Will shut down power if AC power frequency deviates +/- 9 hertz from 60 cycles per second.

Designed for outdoor use with a security locking bracket to prevent theft.

4. Camco Power Defender Voltage Protector

Camco also makes a portable voltage protector that will shut off power to the RV when low or high voltage is detected. The display will show other electrical issues, but will not stop power from going to the RV.

Features:

One year limited warranty.

Will automatically shut off power to the RV when AC power falls below 102 volts, or is higher than 132 volts.

Shows faults for reverse polarity, open neutral, and other power pedestal wiring issues.

Time Delay for Reset: 140 seconds

55301 is for RVs with 30 amp service. Total Joule rating of 2,450, 6,500A surge current.

55306 is for RVs with 50 amp service. This unit has a total Joule rating of 3,850, 6,500A surge current.

5. Hughes Autoformer Power Booster with Surge Protection

The Hughes Autoformer is a power booster with built-in surge protection. When the input voltage is below 113 volts, the Autoformer will go into boost mode to increase the output by 10%. It does not draw power from the campground or any source the RV is plugged into.

Keep in mind the units are heavy. The 30 amp version is 21 pounds, the 50 amp version is 35 pounds. The company does offer an installation kit for outside storage compartments. They do not recommend hard-wiring the unit to the RV as that will void the warranty.

Note: we’ve stayed at campgrounds that do not allow products like this to be plugged into the pedestal.

Features:

Made in the U.S.A. Two year limited warranty.

Will automatically boost low voltage in the range of 95 to 115 volts.

Designed to absorb electrical surge or spike. If the Autoformer is damaged during a massive spike, the unit has to be sent in for service.

Why Do I Need an EMS over RV Surge Protectors?

With antiquated campground pedestals, basic RV surge protectors will only provide limited protection. Although an electrical management system is more expensive, it offers more protection. I think of it as an insurance policy for the RV. Better to spend a few hundred on protection now to avoid spending a few thousand on repairs later.

About Author

Joe Russo

I love coffee, motorcycles, cars and pretty much anything that is mechanical. My tools are some of my most prized possessions. Kait calls me her "handyman" and I try my hardest to live up to that. When the RV needs a fixin', you bet I'll be ready. We've been living out of an RV since 2015 and you can learn more about our journey in my book series about RV Living.

Latest Comments

Greg Grein

We have a 2015 Forest River Blue Ridge 5th wheel and have a model 34750 Surge Guard protector that just went out. My question is we are thinking of downsizing our trl and don’t know if it will be 30 or 50 amp. If I purchase a new 50 amp surge protector now, can I use it if we get a 30 amp trl.
Thanks Greg

I just bought an Aktiv 1.0, with Ecotreks, Voltstart, solar. i rather not buy anything unnecessarily. I’m thinking about just checking the CG power outlets with a simple outlet checking device. I have 130K miles on my older 2005 Airstream Westfalia with no mishaps. I will not connect if anything looks dubious. What do youn think?

We may see you in VT. Currently hanging out on a Cayuga Lakeside friend’s home while I familiarize myself with the Aktiv. The Westy was so easy, the manual was well written and instructive. With the original German gel batteries I could boondock for 4-5 days easily before I installed a 2000W inverter.

Juju – considering how much you just spent on your new AKtiv (congrats!) I don’t think spending another few hundred on an EMS is unnecessary. Simply checking the outlets doesn’t protect you from surges, low voltage and a number of other issues that can crop up. Our EMS has protected us a number of times and I won’t plug in anywhere without it. That said, it’s only my opinion and I suggest doing more research and deciding if it’s something you need.

The higher end surge protectors also protect against brown out conditions that can easily happen after you have hand checked your RV park power. Brown outs can do near as much electrical damage as a power surge.

Very informative, thank you for posting this. My wife and I are preparing to sell the house, buy a van, and hit the road. I’m an electrician and she does knowledge management. We stumbled across your YouTube account and have been enjoying all of your adventures. Aside from EMS what tools do you bring with you specifically for your van? I’ll be bringing my standard kit with me for work but don’t want to overdue an otherwise small space with unneeded tools specifically for the van.

That’s a question I get quite often. A small space like that is all about compromise. I’d suggest taking as little as possible. Look around the van and make sure you have the appropriate size/type screwdrivers and any tools needed to work on the interior. Beyond that, it’s a matter of what you have room for. I have a set of sockets (metric), screwdrivers long and short, large and small channel lock, a medium vice grip, allen wrenches, a volt meter (very handy), jumper cables. But my most used tool by far, this little guy: https://amzn.to/2thNdO9 I figure if I need anything else I can go buy it.

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